Honda partners with wind energy company

PIPESTONE, Minn. — Juhl Wind, Inc., an established leader in the renewable energy industry with a focus on community-based wind power development, ownership and management, has reached an agreement with Honda Transmission Mfg. of America, Inc. to develop, install and operate two utility-scale wind turbines that will generate electricity for the plant in Russell’s Point, Ohio.

Juhl Wind is providing full development services along with construction management of the $8 million project, which is scheduled to be completed in 2013. Juhl acquired the development asset from Boulder, Colorado-based NexGen Energy Partners in 2011, and Juhl is expected to take ownership in the project under its Juhl Renewable Asset subsidiary.

Juhl will be providing oversight of the construction and ongoing operation of the turbines.

Growing effort

The Honda Wind Project represents a growing niche within our renewable energy development services, which includes installing “behind the meter” wind and solar facilities for large industrial electricity users and corporate clients.

The goal is to continue to grow this sector of our business by providing quality development services to companies that are looking to utilize renewable energy at their planned or existing facilities.”

Once the turbines begin operating later this year, the Honda transmission plant will be the first major automotive manufacturing facility in the United States to obtain a substantial amount of its electricity directly from wind turbines located on its property.

The dimensions

The turbines, with blades approximately 160 feet long, will be installed on 260-foot towers on Honda Transmission property, which is suited for a maximum of two wind turbines.

An evaluation of the project shows that renewable energy from the two wind turbines will supply approximately 10 percent of the plant’s electricity, while also reducing CO2 emissions. Studies commissioned by Honda Transmission indicate that wind-generated power is a cost-effective source of electricity for the plant, and that the project will not adversely impact local wildlife or the environment.

Globally, Honda has established voluntary goals to reduce the environmental impact of its products and manufacturing operations by 2020. This includes a 30 percent reduction in CO2 emissions from Honda products, and significant CO2 reductions from the company’s plants and other operations, compared with year 2000 levels.